Claire Johnson was one of five Crusaders on the Academic All-HL teams. (Ron Stevens)

Five athletes represented the Valparaiso track and field squads as the Academic All-Horizon League teams for the outdoor season were announced. Claire Johnson (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) was named to the women's squad, while Wally Bradford (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago), Nick Fagan (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore), Chris Hovan (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Christian) and Andrew Rixon (Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield) all were selected to the men's team.

Johnson, who received her third Academic All-League honor in as many sports this year after earlier being named to the cross country and indoor track and field squads, was Valpo's fastest runner during the outdoor season in the 800m run, posting a top time of 2:24.43. The sophomore also was the Crusaders' second-fastest competitor in the 1,500m run (4:58.80) and placed 14th at the league outdoor championships in both events. Johnson, who carries a perfect 4.000 GPA as a double major in German and international economics & cultural affairs, has also earned Valpo Presidential academic honors and been named to the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll.

Bradford was the only Crusader on the men's side to break four minutes in the 1,500m during the outdoor season, posting a best time of 3:58.62. The junior also ranked second on the team in the 5,000m run (15:42.30) and third in the 800m run (2:05.09). Bradford, who owns a 3.321 cumulative GPA as an elementary education major, has previously earned Valpo Presidential academic honors and been named to the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll.

Fagan paced the Crusaders during the outdoor campaign in the 5K with a time of 15:42.09, while also ranking third in the 1,500m run (4:14.37). The senior placed 14th in the 5,000m run in the league outdoor championship meet this year as well. Fagan, who carried a 3.206 cumulative GPA as a civil engineering major, earned Valpo Presidential academic honors and was named to the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll during his time at Valpo.

Hovan was among Valpo's top jumpers during the 2012 outdoor campaign, ranking second on the squad in the triple jump (43'10”) and third in the long jump (20'8”). The redshirt junior, who previously earned Academic All-HL accolades during the indoor season, carries a 3.739 cumulative GPA as a physical education and secondary education major, has earned Valpo Presidential academic honors and has been named to the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll.

Rixon led the Crusaders during the outdoor season in the shot put, registering a top toss of 49'3 1/4”, the fifth-best mark in Valpo history. The junior, who also ranked second on the team in the javelin and hammer throws, earned a podium finish in the shot put at the league outdoor championship meet by finishing third and also tallied a seventh-place finish in the javelin throw. Rixon, who owns a 3.615 cumulative GPA as a civil engineering major, has twice previously earned Academic All-HL recognition, has earned Valpo Presidential academic honors and has been named to the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll.